Speeches urge students to use knowledge and take risks
By: Audrey Levine
Despite the sweltering heat and humidity, hundreds of parents, friends, relatives, teachers and administrators gathered on the football field at Monroe Township High School, craning their necks to see the more than 300 graduates as they paraded down the track at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2006 on June 22.
The students stopped at the edge of the field and, as the high school band played "Pomp and Circumstance," walked two by two, boys in purple robes and girls in gold, through the aisle of parents as cameras flashed and shouts of joy rang out.
"Tonight we celebrate an ending, a beginning and a day of reflection," said Kathy Kolupanowich, Board of Education president, after the graduates had taken their seats. "Monroe Township High School has prepared you to make the right choices."
Making choices seemed to be the theme of the evening, with many administrators advising students to use the skills they’ve learned and to take risks in the future.
"The Class of 2006 has demonstrated its willingness to enter into the arena and take on challenges," said Superintendent Ralph Ferrie, after Principal Robert Goodall announced the top 10 students in the class and recognized senior Scott Roman for his perfect attendance.
"Moving beyond the walls of the high school will give you freedom," said Elizabeth Kopp, senior class advisor. "With great freedom comes great responsibility. You cannot choose the consequences."
For the second year, the school continued its tradition by inviting a former alumnus to speak at the graduation. Leonard Leo, Class of 1983, now the executive vice president of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, traveled from his home in Washington, D.C., to share some thoughts with the graduates.
"You should want to have a successful education to lift up those around you," he said. "If you won’t take that first step, so many colleagues and friends won’t take that same risk. Worry that you are not doing enough to liberate others."
The ceremony continued with the introduction of the salutatorian, Kenneth Stanley, who encouraged his fellow classmates to control their own destinies and work hard to achieve their goals.
"We will only take from life what we put in," he said, as he stood on the stage, which had been adorned with flowers. "Mediocrity is not an option with this class."
Laura Sahyoun, valedictorian, expressed her pride at being part of the Class of 2006.
"I have never been with a more well-rounded, devoted group of people than I am standing in front of right now," she said. "We are here to celebrate our future. Every new beginning comes from another beginning’s end."
Class President Megan Boyce called for the students to take a moment and reflect on what they were experiencing at that very moment. She spoke of past years, when she just wanted to be older and do everything older kids did, including going to the movies alone and driving a car.
"Every moment has been spent anticipating the next," she said. "Now we resign our titles as children and become adults."
Melissa Kuhn, student council president, recounted her tale of falling down the stairs when she was a sophomore. She said that two strangers, a senior and a freshman, helped her gather her books and offered to walk her to the nurse.
"Although we are all going our separate ways, it is comforting to know that there will always be people to pick you up when you fall," she said.
After reminding students that they should not throw their mortarboards just yet, Mr. Goodall asked the students to rise and certified that they were all eligible to receive their diplomas.
One by one, the students were called onto the stage amid the screaming and cheering of classmates and family. They descended the stage down the center stairs and returned to their seats, remaining standing until the entire row had returned.
Following this and the presentation of the senior class gift of a picnic table for the courtyard, the students collectively turned their tassels and began throwing confetti and beach balls into the air.
To end the ceremony, seniors Ashleigh Graves and Jakob Raynor, two of the four members of the band Brewtuhl, entertained their classmates by singing Nickelback’s "Photograph," as many of the graduates stood and waved their arms in time with the song.
"The principal asked us to sing something," said Jakob, who will attend Middlesex County Community College in the fall to study communications. "The song talks about experiences and the past we’ve lived through. We are now getting over a huge mountain of success and there is a step to take into college."
According to Lindsay Dudek who will attend Villanova University to study nursing she is ready to take on this next hurdle.
"I feel prepared for college," she said, as she took pictures with her family after the ceremony. "I am excited, but sad to leave. I will miss my friends, the teachers and the small school environment."
Overall, Ashleigh and Jakob left the class with a message in their song that expressed many of the feelings of the day.
"It’s hard to say it, time to say it," they sang. "Goodbye, goodbye."